OLD PIONEER DEAD

Chauncey Monroe Messenger

After a Lingering Illness

WAS AN OLD SOLDIER

Once again death has invaded the ranks of the defender of our country, this time summoning Chauncey M. Messenger, father of Clark E. and Edwin M. Messenger.

A veteran of the Civil War in which he served for over three years and one the early pioneer on the Pacific Coast. Mr. Messenger rendered in the service to his country that was full of honor and of credit to himself.

At the time of his death he was seventh-five years and four months eight days old. He was born in Warren Co., Pennsylvania to Rufus Milo and Elizabeth Ann (Barnes) Messenger. At the age of nineteen, a mere boy as it were filled with ambition that has been the making of this country, the spirit of a pioneer, set out with a resolute heart, across the Great American Plains for the far west, landing in City of Portland, Oregon in the year of 1852. Few now living call realize the trials and hardships of those who cast their fortune on this coast in those early days. A few years later the breaking out of the CIVIL WAR occurred and he enlisted as a volunteer. He had serviced for three years and one month in the First Oregon Cavalry. After the war he became an Indian Agent in Idaho working with Perrin Whitman for the Federation Government of the United State until 1870.

In 1870 Mr. Messenger returned to Illinois, but the following year moved to Republic County, Kansas where in 1873 he married Hester Elena Palmer. He is a father of ten children. Eight of whom are living; only two of whom, Clark E. & Edwin Milo Messenger reside here. The other children residing in the east. His wife died December 1894 at Fort Scott, Kansas and he was remarried to Mrs. Almira Lucus, and she died in 1905. He then removed to Elma, where he has since resided, making his home with two sons. On the morning of November 4, 1908 he passed away, the cause of death being paralysis.

Mr. Messenger had lived a long and useful life. He was a member of the G.A.R. and member of the Post escorted his remains to their last resting place in "Odd Fellows" cemetery here. Of quiet, unmooring disposition Mr. Messenger made no stir that attracted attention, but of those who knew him all respected him and were his friends. In life he never shirked a duty, and shared the hardships of the battle field and the frontier.

(He was in the Indian War on the West Coast with the Shoshone and was one of the last soldiers standing beside the officers) First wife was Indian Kitty buried in Josephine Co., Oregon they had one son Samuel Chauncey Messenger Second wife Hester Elena Palmer children Clark E., Chloe Malvina died age 15, Edwin Milo, Frank, Lewis Munson, Eliza Ilene, Alice Mae, Mary Jane, John Henry.

Submitted by Rose Hamia-Mitcham, gg-granddaughter.